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Thursday, 4 June 2015

Senate approves life sentence for rape and underage sex

The
Senate on Wednesday passed the Sexual Offences Bill, 2015 which
prescribes life imprisonment for rapists and those who have sexual
intercourse with children under 11 years.

The passage of the
bill followed the report of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights
and Legal Matters, Chaired by Umaru Dahiru (APC Sokoto-South).

Presenting
the report, Mr. Dahiru said the passage of the bill would give legal
backing for the prosecution of sexual offenders.

He said if
approved, rapists and those who sexually abuse children would bag life
imprisonment while other sexual offenders would also be sentenced to
serve various prison terms.

The President of the Senate, David
Mark, expressed delight on the efforts of the committee to evolve a
stronger law against sexual violations, “I want to particularly thank
and congratulate Chris Anyanwu, the sponsor of the Bill for the passage
for initiating the process of this amendment,’’ Mark said.

Speaking
to journalists after plenary, Ms. Anyanwu (APGA Imo East) said the
passage of the bill was a parting gift from her to the public.

“It is indeed a fulfilment of my mission in the Upper Chamber,” she said.

She
listed some of the sexual offences captured by the bill to include gang
rape, lacing drinks with drugs with intent to sexually abuse,
deliberately infecting partner with HIV and other diseases.

Others, according to her, include child sex tourism, sexual harassment and prostitution of persons with mental disabilities.

She
said the bill had mandated the storing of names of sexual offenders in
database for institutional and social discrimination.

“Culprits
would never be employed in any institution where they may pose a risk to
unsuspecting persons. You can see that the penalties are weighty,” she
said.

She also said convicted offenders would be subjected to
compulsory medical examination, while “those that, however, bring false
sexual allegation against any person will also be liable for
punishment.’’